Editor's comment: Change regardless of blame

Insurers have been taking the issue of global warming extremely seriously and called for the most radical carbon dioxide cuts of all lobbying groups at last year's Copenhagen conference. In addition, business risk managers are increasingly aware of the risks and opportunities climate change is bringing, so engaging with them around the issue is set to become a natural part of business communications.

The Russian President Dmitry Medvedev is the latest convert saying: "What's happening with the planet's climate right now needs to be a wake-up call to all of us... this means we need to change the way we work, change the methods that we used in the past."

The debate around global warming is strongly contested but most people recognise that our natural environment is changing - bringing with it more severe weather events - and that we need to produce cleaner energy and be less wasteful to make sure that we do not cause irreparable damage.

Even if you doubt that the climate is changing because of manmade activities, there are huge benefits to come from pushing the green agenda up the boardroom priority list. It can bring savings in cost, time, energy and money in addition to helping foster business development opportunities. The multi-billion pound green economy, from waste management to solar panels, should be something to embrace because it will create jobs, drive investment and provide a credible alternative to oil.

In this special digital issue of PB, we provide you with information on: how to make your brokerage more environmentally friendly; how to service the growing green industries; web links to numerous useful websites; and we also arm you with the latest in climate research. Our aim is to keep you informed; we would appreciate any feedback you might have.

Source: PB Green issue - August 2010